Multi-layer Carbon Material with Loop Structures for Battery Anodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nonaqueous secondary batteries face challenges in achieving high capacity, low irreversible capacity, and excellent cycle characteristics due to issues with the breakage and peeling of lowly crystalline carbon surfaces during electrode preparation, which affects the performance of multi-layer structured carbonaceous materials.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layer structured carbonaceous material is developed by mixing graphitic carbon particles with an organic compound and thermally treating the mixture, resulting in loop structures at the edge portions of the particles with carbonized products affixed to their surfaces, which reduces surface breakage and allows for lower press loads, thereby enhancing battery performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If multi-layer structured carbonaceous material is used as negative electrode material, then capacity is improved and irreversible capacity is reduced, but surface breakage and peeling occurs during electrode preparation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery capacityVSAvoidsurface integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material structure consisting of graphitic carbon particles with carbonized organic compound coatings. This composite structure combines the high capacity and low irreversible capacity of multi-layer structured carbon with the surface protection provided by the carbonized coating, preventing breakage and peeling during electrode preparation while maintaining the electrochemical benefits of the multi-layer structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies thermal treatment to transform the organic compound coating into a carbonized layer. This parameter change (chemical transformation through heating) creates a protective surface layer that maintains the structural integrity of the underlying multi-layer carbon structure during subsequent electrode preparation processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If graphitic carbon particles are mixed with organic compound and thermally treated, then loop structures are formed and surface breakage is reduced, but press load requirements are lowered affecting manufacturing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface durabilityVSAvoidpress load
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs thermal treatment of the organic compound coating before electrode assembly to pre-form the carbonized protective layer and loop structures. This preliminary action strengthens the particle surfaces in advance, allowing the electrode to withstand normal pressing loads without requiring reduced press load, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving surface durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The approach results in a negative electrode material with higher capacity, reduced irreversible capacity, and improved cycle characteristics, maintaining excellent battery characteristics comparable to graphite while minimizing surface damage and reactivity.

Implementation Method 1

mixing graphitic carbon particles with an organic compound and thermally treating the mixture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal treatment: Heat Treatment

Implementation Method 2

carbonized products of the organic compound affixed to surfaces of the particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCarbonization: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentEP3866230B1Multi-layer structured carbonaceous material, process for producing the same, and nonaqueous secondary battery adopting the same
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 MITSUBISHI CHEM CORP
  • EP3866230B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3866230B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3866230B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is a multi-layer structured carbonaceous material obtained by mixing graphitic carbon particles with an organic compound and by thermally treating the mixture, wherein loop structures are present at an edge portion of each of the graphitic carbon particles, and wherein the graphitic carbon particles have carbonized products of the organic compound affixed to surfaces of the particles, respectively, while maintaining the loop structures.